Once again, Oleksandr Usyk walked out of Saudi Arabia a winner against Tyson Fury. The Ukrainian retained his status as the unified heavyweight champion, cementing his already celebrated legacy.
Usyk came into the fight as favorite, but a win wasn't guaranteed. Fury never lost before the May showdown, where he got knocked down in the ninth round. Many expected him to avenge the blip on his resume.
It wasn't meant to be, as Usyk won via unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 116-112).
Usyk landed more shots (179 of 423 — 42.3%) than Fury (114 of 509 — 28.3%) with over 20 finding the target in three of the final four rounds. Fury only surpassed Usyk in one round in that regard.
MORE: Usyk vs. Fury 2: Full card results as Ukrainian master seals all-time greatness
Despite those stats, Fury insisted he won the fight.
Tyson Fury's reaction to Oleksandr Usyk win
Fury did not speak in the ring following the fight but had plenty to say afterwards.
The Brit thought he won by three rounds as he huffed and puffed backstage. In the post-fight press conference, Fury made it known that he got robbed of glory for the second time.
"I thought I won the fight again, I was Larry Holmesed again. I was on the front foot the entire time," Fury said via ESPN. "When you don't get the knockout, this is what can happen."
Fury was referring to Holmes' loss against Michael Spinks in 1985, dubbed Ring Magazine's Upset of the Year. He also lost the rematch in 1986 via split decision. Holmes retired shortly after, only to return a few years later.
MORE: Will Fury retire following Usyk loss?
The quote is quite timely given what Fury told Uncrowned just a few days before this fight when reflecting on his loss in May.
"I feel like there's so many different elements to judging," he said. "You know, 10 people can watch a fight, and six of them will have it the same, four won't or whatever. I don't think there's really any such things as robberies anymore, because it's just opinions, isn't it? Three judges ringside and each of them might see the fight differently and might score it differently. It's just how an individual sees a contest and how they judge it. Sometimes it's very difficult to score."
Fury also said Usyk got a Christmas gift from the judges.
Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn react to Tyson Fury's loss in Oleksandr Usyk rematch
It didn't take long for Fury's allies to support their man.
Queensberry Promotions' Frank Warren, the promoter of Fury, was quick to go against the judges. While Usyk celebrated in the ring with a sword, Warren went on a rant for the ages.
"It's impossible. How did Tyson only get four rounds in this fight? I'm not biased. Everyone across the front all thought the same way… It's nuts. Did you only give him four rounds? Nuts. I don't get it. Really disappointed with that," Warren said via The Mirror.
"I thought Tyson was in control, thought he boxed extremely well. But anyway. It is what it is. Oscar de le Hoya and I had him winning by three or four rounds. What fight were they watching?"
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Meanwhile, Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn, providing commentary for the fight, thought Usyk didn't get the clear win that was called.
Having believed "the right man won" the first fight, Hearn said through this broadcast he thought the contest was a draw. He did credit the three judges for scoring the fight the same way — a rarity in boxing.
Regarding what could be next for Fury, Hearn said Fury vs. Anthony Joshua would still be the fight to make despite both losing their most recent bouts. Joshua got knocked out against Daniel Dubois in September, and talks of a Wembley Stadium showdown have been brewing for years.
